Sunday 01 March 2026

Norovirus remains high. 16–22 February:
• Flu decreased and is at baseline levels.
• COVID-19 remains stable and is at baseline levels
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) decreased and is at low levels.
• Norovirus activity remains high but stable; cases are particularly high in adults aged 65+; children also suffer badly. Hospital outbreaks remain high. The NHS is worried there could be a second surge. To reduce the spread, please practice good hygiene. Alcohol gels don’t kill Norovirus; wash hands regularly with warm soapy water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces to protect yourselves and reduce further spread.

WARNING: Measles outbreak: There’s an outbreak of measles, the highly contagious disease, in north London. 60 suspected cases had been confirmed – with the majority in schools and nurseries and some children requiring hospital treatment, “particularly those who have not been immunised”. Outbreaks like this can easily spread and Essex is close by. Parents are urged to get children vaccinated and check your child’s vaccination status.

We’re holding a virtual public meeting from 1830-2030 on 23 March with keynote Executive speakers from NHS Essex, our hospitals and our mental health provider to explain the changes to the organisation of our health services starting in April. Full details and how to book a place will be on our website in the coming weeks.

Increased uptake of women attending first mammogram hitting a 10-year high has resulted in thousands more cancers being identified, enabling women to access treatment earlier, when there are more options available and treatment is more likely to be effective.

A landmark campaign to support millions more people with anxiety urges those facing six common anxiety conditions that treatment is available to come forward for support by self-referring online at nhs.uk/talk .

“Essential repairs” are being carried out to keep Maldon’s St Peter’s Hospital open, “ensure the building remains safe and secure for patients and staff, and continue to provide services onsite, including maternity, X rays, blood tests and a wide range of outpatient clinics.”

To tackle wait times, our NHS trust has increased referral options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism care.

Some infant formula products have recently been recalled because they might contain a harmful toxin called Cereulide. The formula products recalled include some batches from SMA, Aptamil and Cow & Gate. More on the Food Standards Agency website’s infant formula recall page.

UKHSA updated advice reports contaminated non-sterile alcohol-free wipes after continuing detection of cases and a recent death attributable to Burkholderia stabilis. As previously, the following were found to be contaminated causing the current outbreak:
• ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
• Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
• Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
• Testing also revealed contamination of Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, with a strain not related to the outbreak cases.
Used for ‘skin cleansing’ and cleaning wounds, these products are withdrawn from sale but may still be in first aid kits and homes. Check for these wipes in homes, including in first aid kits. If found, stop using them immediately and dispose of them in standard household waste.

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